Do people sneak in?

Antranik · Post by **Antranik** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:09 pm

I got my burning man ticket for myself and my brother months ago and when I explain where it is and what it is to others... they ask me, well... can't you just sneak in if it's in the middle of nowhere like that?

And.. it's a good question.. how does that work? Is there a gate literally around the entire perimeter?

Can't people be stowed away in RV's and trailers and what not? I figure the people at the gate would have to go inside the RV's to check that stuff out, right?

Anyway, just curious.. I'm not coming with an RV and I have my ticket so I have great peace of mind, but just wondering how the entrance is setup.

phil · Post by **phil** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:18 pm

> I figure the people at the gate would have to go inside the RV's to
> check that stuff out, right?

Right. And they do.

The playa is patrolled by the cops, so a person or two may sneak in, but it's awfully hard because you can see to the horizon out there. You'll see when you get here. :-)

EB · Post by EB » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:22 pm

This'll be my seventh year and I've yet to meet anyone that's copped to sneaking in. They've upped the punishment in recent years - not only do the people caught have to buy a ticket but I believe there's a penalty for the car, too (everybody in the car or just the driver?)

Yes, there's a perimeter fence (it's orange - I think it's a cyclone fence or maybe a snow fence) that encloses the event. Check out the map, you'll see the pentagon shape - that's the fence, and, yes, it's in the middle of nowhere but there's only a few roads that have access to the playa (every few miles) and these are closed during the event. So, it's a little like Alcatraz in that getting over the prison walls is just your FIRST order of business.

At night, the Law Enforcement Organizations (LEOs) use infrared and all sorts of toys to spot people outside the event's perimeter. Since there's no reason for anybody to be out there (paid participants included) they pick you right away.

As far as sneaking in goes, Gate (as they're known) are very aggressive and thorough. They know all the secret spots and every year I've been made to stop my car and open my Thule box on the top of my SUV. They poke through large loads, search RV bathrooms, the works.

Personally, I'd love to see some Gate sneak-in stories posted. I'm sure they're pretty rich...

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:23 pm

All vehicles and trailers are searched, the perimeters are patrolled by BLM and other law enforcement as well as volunteers with radar, night vision goggles. Occasionally one might get by , but Burning Man is all about the community and one of the greatest ways to show that community disrespect is to sneak in and many of the residents would be happy to physically teach the perpetrator the error of his ways if he is found out. Violence is not condoned by the organization but what you going to do......

Antranik · Post by **Antranik** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:29 pm

Sounds pretty fucking awesome.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:42 pm

I've been told a tale of a sneak in or two, but security is tighter than back in those days anyway. It can be done and wouldn't be that hard, but is the risk of missing out worth it? Also, this is a community and we all need to contribute, by not paying you're taking from everyone else who put so much more money than just the ticket price back into the event. I know a few ways that I'm pretty sure you could get people in, but I'm not going to share.

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:10 pm

Since there are no ticket sales at the gate this year does that mean that people trying to sneak in will automatically get a felony(BLM sanctioned event) trespassing charge and not get to pay the stupid tax to get in ?

Token · Post by **Token** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:17 pm

The only way to sneak in is to jump out of an airplane and parachute in. If you can pull that off, you can attend for free.

lonestoner916 · Post by **lonestoner916** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:17 pm

motskyroonmatick wrote:Since there are no ticket sales at the gate this year does that mean that people trying to sneak in will automatically get a felony(BLM sanctioned event) trespassing charge and not get to pay the stupid tax to get in ?

No, they'll just be turned away, I asked about stowaways at the Open House. If it's early in the week, the stowaway can purchase a ticket from The Melting Pot in Reno and return. With his tail between his legs.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:18 pm

After years of going to Burning Man, I'm absolutely certain I know a way I could get someone in without a ticket, but I won't even hint at how because I don't condone it.

A newbie who isn't extremely familiar with the event stands very little chance of making it past the gate.

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:23 pm

I was talking about the people who ditch a car on 34 and try to walk across the playa and hop the fence. I heard if the cops catch you on open playa it is the stupid tax at the gate or the ticket.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 10:29 pm

Think I mentioned this on another thread, but One guy did make it in, a year or two ago, by driving in with a water truck. He would have made it, but was spotted spraying water IN FRONT of his truck! Is a ranger in our camp, heard the whole thing over his radio.

Post by **mdmf007** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:25 am

the perimeter volunteers take their job seriously, and they have great line of site between the posts.

Another urban myth for you - Story Goes, someone parked their rig off of Jungo Road (east side of the BR Desert) and belly crawled mind you 2-3 miles to get in. Perimeter watches the entire thing, and how slowly and patiently this guy goes. Crawling on his stomach and dragging his stuff behind him Tim Robbins style in Shawshank Redemption.

So they let him get to the perimeter fence, and then bust his ass. Story goes they let him in because they were impressed at his tenacity.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:14 am

Someone coming across the playa with a very expensive sport ugly vehicle, multi-thousand dollar bikes, expensive everything was caught, arrested and all property seized.

Oh, and I think they missed the event too.

brickmaster · Post by **brickmaster** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:49 am

Well I know two people who got in (sort of) without tickets. They had early arrival status and due to a mix up at gate, their tickets were never scanned or checked or anything. They were laughing that they could now send someone else out to sell the tickets at the gate and not have paid anything and prob made a profit. They didn't however because they are not free loaders and think everyone should pay their way fairly.

Also, at the gate last year I asked about stowaways. I was told that someone had gotten in previously hiding in a lounge chair like imigrants do. Basically the chair was constructed around him. Once they had got in they sent polaroid pictures of the guy getting out of the chair back to the gate to show how he did it.

It could be bullsit but its a good story

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:11 am

I heard of someone taking a simple approach and being packed in tight last year.
By the time the line got to the gate and they were discovered, they were pretty happy about it.
They were suffering pretty bad in the heat by then.
Could be dangerous.

I have heard of someone who routinely tries to sneak in, but with a ticket.
Probably having a ticket allows them to be more creative and relaxed than most.

No gate sales this year too.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:15 am

brickmaster wrote:Well I know two people who got in (sort of) without tickets. They had early arrival status and due to a mix up at gate, their tickets were never scanned or checked or anything. They were laughing that they could now send someone else out to sell the tickets at the gate and not have paid anything and prob made a profit. They didn't however because they are not free loaders and think everyone should pay their way fairly.
It could be bullsit but its a good story

It is possible those tickets were marked when they came in.
They keep track of purchases in the computer.
They might also be asked to show their tickets after they are in too.
If you have to go into town, you need them too.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:55 am

Strap yourself under a vehicle like Robert DeNiro in Cape fear.

Behind a wall in the back of an enclosed trailer.

I think skydiving in would likely work as well, I'll have to try that sometime before I die. Putting that on my list right after Juplaya.

JezebelinHell · Post by **JezebelinHell** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:55 am

I only knew one person that ever fessed up to sneaking in, but that was about six years ago. I don't know full details, but I know when she showed up at our camp and we asked how she was doing she said, "I was just in a box for six hours."

The part of me that pays for my ticket every single year gets a little irritated by gate-crashers, but with how tight security is at this point I think that if you're ninja enough to make it in unnoticed, you deserve to party for free.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:11 am

The fun part is you can spend six or more hours sweating and still get caught.
I'm told it happens all the time.

I think the person I heard about being packed behind a seat last year, is having claustrophobia issues now.
The driver lost early admission too, and had to go hang out somewhere until the gate would let him in.
I bet that was a fun week.
He didn't seem too amused by it all.

Post by **AntiM** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:53 am

I've heard there is a contortionist who folds up into a bin each year.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:18 am

I've heard that they check sky-divers' tickets as well.

Depending how you slice it, it's probably not worth it. Just a PITA if you get caught, with a likelihood that you won't be able to get a ticket this year. (Or pay scalper prices if you can.) I guess if you are "philosophically opposed" to buying a ticket (i.e. you're a jerk) it might be worth it to try, and just go home (no your actuall home) when you get caught.

chiefdanfox · Post by **chiefdanfox** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:44 am

I was going to try to sneak in like Bullwinkle and Rocky. Get sucked up into the clouds, rain down and sprout up out of the playa. Next full moon, I'll wet myself down and lay out, hopefully I'll get pulled into the sky by the moon. I just hope it rains over the playa. (thanks Mr. Rostand, for the great idea about the full moon.)

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:53 am

This year I went to the playa in May and dug a tunnel to center camp from Gerlach. It took a long time and lots of illegal immigrant labor but alas it is now complete. I will be escorting freeloaders through my "Underground Railroad Art Project" hourly. Please bring your donations of drugs and alcohol as no one will be allowed to pass without this tax. Meet me every hour, on the hour behind the dumpster at Bruno's.

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:03 am

I've seen the video the 'chair' stowaway sent to BM....ballsy -made the Gate staff much more alert these last couple of years. But, really, at $250 a ticket -that's $25 per day for 10 days camping -we get awesome services/safety - what kinda jerk needs to beat that??

Post by **mdmf007** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:04 am

I can think of a better way to save a few bucks.

Marscrumbs · Post by **Marscrumbs** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 12:35 pm

I miss the early 1990's when you had to drive out to the middle of the playa on compass deadpoint and pay twenty bucks. When I came back in 2003 I went for a playa drive prior to being locked in and was stopped by the temporary BLM agent. I did show him my ticket said I was enjoying the open playa first and picking up trash. So he let me go on doing that.

They do watch the sky so forget parachuting in so forget that. No more ninja parachuters anymore.

There the swords thru the basket trick. If you know how to do that for real, you can hid in the back with the stuff. Just carry extra blood of your type.

But one could bury themselves under the playa the previous year, stay in suspended animation and come out when the crowd comes back much like a lungfish.

phil · Post by **phil** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:32 pm

chiefdanfox wrote:I was going to try to sneak in like Bullwinkle and Rocky. Get sucked up into the clouds, rain down and sprout up out of the playa. Next full moon, I'll wet myself down and lay out, hopefully I'll get pulled into the sky by the moon. I just hope it rains over the playa. (thanks Mr. Rostand, for the great idea about the full moon.)

I think I'll wet myself, too.

Ooooh! And a reference to one of my all-time favorite plays.

CYRANO:
Take all! Despite you there is yet one thing
I hold against you all, and when, to-night,
I enter Christ's fair courts, and, lowly bowed,
Sweep with doffed casque the heavens' threshold blue,
One thing is left, that, void of stain or smutch,
I bear away despite you.

(He springs forward, his sword raised; it falls from his hand; he staggers,
falls back into the arms of Le Bret and Ragueneau.)

ROXANE (bending and kissing his forehead):
'Tis?. . .

CYRANO (opening his eyes, recognizing her, and smiling):
MY PANACHE.

Simon of the Playa · Post by **Simon of the Playa** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:40 pm

ok, it was 1998, and we literally hijacked my cousin Patrick and threw him in the RV a half an hour before we left rochester, ny.

the trip across country and back are their own novelettes, so i will refrain for now.

and if there are any oldtimers reading this, we we directly behind bianca, all the way on the quit side end....(remember Disturbia?)and he is a tall, skinny, long hair w beard and was sometimes wearing a box made of wood, with little doors on front that opened...he likes to think INSIDE the box.

he also had some nifty expandable geodesia made out of chopsticks he lovingly collected and washed and assembled with dental rubber bands into the most amazing Buckminster Fulleresque tumbleweeds you have ever seen.

anyway, he NEEDED to go.

we squeezed him inside of some under panel in the rv and loaded shit around him and prayed.

evidently, providence was with us that day and we made it in..

i kinda feel guilty about the whole not paying thing, because quite frankly, i think the price is a bargain, and the i am more than happy to give the "Project" my hard earned cash because i know it's well spent.

but i am glad Patrick got to see the man Burn..

he's my favorite relative, and even though we appear to be diametric, we are actually two sides of the same coin.

it seems that the Gate has got a LOT tougher and more thorough in recent years, so i dont think we would get through again, so i dont suggest it.

and yes, the BLM has the perimeter fucking locked down....they see everything coming and going, night or day.

not to mention the aerial recon that goes on.

Post by **mdmf007** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:46 pm

Of course BMORG, or BLM saying a statement like "only 20 people tried to sneak in" is like G Bush saying we intercept 20% of the drugs coming into the United States.

How the hell do you know? there could be hundreds of people sneaking in.

Do people sneak in?

Do people sneak in?

It would take mutant powers